Takeaways from UNC basketball's win over St. Bonaventure

Takeaways from UNC basketball's win over St. BonaventureStory byZack Pearson, Tar Heels WireWed, November 26, 2025 at 3:01 PM UTC·3 min read

The North Carolina Tar Heels are now 6-0 on the season following an 85-70 win over St. Bonaventure Tuesday night in the Fort Myers Tip-Off.

While the Bonnies made it a close game in the first half, trailing by just two at the break, the Tar Heels turned up the heat a little in the second half. Hubert Davis' team really got going in that second half, pulling away after getting a double-digit lead. They sealed it late backed on the play of Henri Veeaar, Caleb Wilson, Luka Bogavac, and Kyan Evans.

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That second-half run was an impressive one for the Tar Heels and should give them some confidence moving into Thursday's game against Michigan State. But before we turn the page on focus on that game, here are some takeaways from UNC's win.

Turnovers were an issue

Nov 25, 2025; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Luka Bogavac (44) collides with St. St. Bonaventure Bonnies guard Amar’E Marshall (2) and center Andrew Osasuyi (33) in the first half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

While North Carolina did avoid the upset and win the game, there was an issue that plagued them. The Tar Heels had 13 total turnovers in the game, which is a big reason why St. Bonaventure was able to stay in the game.

The good news is that 11 of those came in the first half, so they only committed two in the second half. They were able to trim down on that number.

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Still, committing turnovers like that will get you beaten against better teams. It's something you have to watch out for moving forward this season.

Tar Heels' length is noticeable

Nov 25, 2025; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) is guarded by St. Bonaventure Bonnies guard Dasonte Bowen (5) in the first half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

This is one of the longest teams we've had in a while in Chapel Hill. North Carolina's lineup features three players at least 6-foot-10 in Caleb Wilson, Henri Veesaar, and Jarin Stevenson. At one point, they had an entire lineup that was at least 6-foot-5 in the game at one point as well.

The length gave the Bonnies some issues in the passing lanes and in the front court. This is something UNC can use to its advantage as the season goes on.

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Second half Tar Heels

Nov 25, 2025; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; St. Bonaventure Bonnies guard Dasonte Bowen (5) moves the ball past North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) in the second half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

This is the second time this season where the game was either close at halftime or UNC trailed and they used a big second half to put it away. They trailed against Kansas in the second game of the year before rallying to win the game. And on Tuesday, they led St. Bonaventure by only two.

In the second half, UNC out-scored St. Bonaventure 50-37. They did so with a good shooting performance, good defense and rebounding. They played with more energy it felt like in that second half and it showed.

You don't want to get behind in a lot of games and have to rely on the second half. But it feels like this team has the ability to flip a switch.

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Kyan Evans' three-point shooting really helped

Nov 25, 2025; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Kyan Evans (0) reacts after a basket against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies in the first half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

We've talked about it in game previews this season, but UNC really needs someone to step up and be a good perimeter shooter. Against St. Bonaventure, that was Kyan Evans.

He finished the game with 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting but was 3-of-4 from the three-point line, which was a huge boost for the Tar Heels. If Evans can shoot like this from the three-point line, it gives UNC a legit shooter there.

Henri Veesaar is the real deal

Nov 25, 2025; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) reacts after a basket against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies in the first half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Have a night Henri Veesaar. The big man set a career high with 24 points and also with 13 rebounds. It was a huge game for the Arizona transfer as he was arguably the biggest reason why North Carolina won. St. Bonaventure had no answer for Veesaar at all in the paint.

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It should be fun to watch Veesaar as the schedule gets tougher and ACC play begins.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Takeaways from Tar Heels' win over St.Bonaventure

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